TIFTON — Ten new faculty members joined the ranks of the teaching professionals at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College throughout 2023.
In the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the new faculty members include Dr. A. Preston Byrd, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Education; Jennifer L. Culpepper, Lecturer of Agribusiness; Dr. Camille E. McAvoy, Assistant Professor of Environmental Horticulture; Dr. Samuel Mensah Opoku, Assistant Professor of Forestry; and Dr. Sharon P. Wagner, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Communication.
In the School of Arts and Sciences, new faculty members include Dr. Jessica L. Beard, Assistant Professor of Biology; and Dr. Catherine E. Funk, Assistant Professor of Political Science.
Danielle M. Kistler, Assistant Professor of Nursing, is new on the faculty of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences while, in the Stafford School of Business, new faculty members include Earl F. Denham, Lecturer in Business Management; and Tatyana Pashnyak, Lecturer of Business.
“I’m excited to welcome these talented educators to ABAC,” said President Tracy Brundage. “They will make an incredible impact on our students.”
Byrd received his Ph.D. in Agricultural Education from Iowa State University and his M.S. in Agricultural and Life Sciences and B.S. in Agricultural Education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Culpepper received her M.B.A. in Business Administration from Saint Leo University and her B.S. in Agribusiness from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.
McAvoy received her Ph.D. and her M.S. in Horticultural Sciences from the University of Florida.
Opoku received his Ph.D. in Forest Science from Michigan Technological University, his M.S. in Environmental Resources and his B.S. in Natural Resources Management from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology.
Wagner received her Ph.D. and M.S. in Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications from Texas A&M University.
Beard received her Ph.D. in Ecological Sciences from Old Dominion University and her B.S. in Biology from Georgia College & State University.
Funk received her Ph.D. in Political Science and International Affairs from the University of Georgia, her M.A. in International Relations from Webster University, and her BFA in Speech Communication from Valdosta State University.
Kistler received her M.S.N. (MSN Education Track) from Georgia Southwestern State University and her B.S.N. (Nursing) from the University of Florida.
Denham received his M.S. in Business Management from Troy State University, his M.A. in History and Government and his B.A. in Government from Valdosta State University.
Pashnyak received her M.Ed. in Business Education and her B.S. in Middle Grades Education from the University of West Georgia.
